Tips on what to pack for a road trip

Mumbai to Pune cab ride or Delhi to Jaipur bus trip are some popular road trips, for example. Given below is a road trip checklist of things that you may do well to throw into your suitcase.

Photo of a car on the road (by Nicholas_T)

Food Logistics:

Always carry your own emergency stocks of canned food, biscuits, noodles or dry fruits such as walnuts and almonds. These days you can easily get sweets, noodles, chips and fresh fruits even in the smallest of towns. Always carry bottled water.

Photo of packaged food (by FriedC)

Clothes

Apart from carrying enough clothes for the number of days you are travelling, pack so as to make sure you are prepared in case of unexpected weather. Therefore, always carry warm clothes such as sweaters and jackets, especially if you are doing any of the high-altitude drives. Make sure your shoes are sturdy, especially if you are planning to trek or hike, even in the mountains in south India, such as in Coorg.

Photo of suitcase (by somegeekintn)

Health first

Though chemists and doctors can be found in most places, ensure you are carrying all the medicines you need. Also, pack antiseptics, bandages, pain relievers and mosquito repellents. Other things that might come in handy are tissues, toilet paper and scissors. If you are driving up the mountains, always carry Diamox and packets of Electral as these are useful in case of altitude mountain sickness. Remember that the medicine needs to be taken at least half an hour before the drive for them to work.

Photo of First Aid Box (by Laeti Imagens)

Entertainment

Don’t forget to pack magazines, books and games that you can read/play during stopovers on your road trips. Also, carry pens and pads to make notes. Carry your cameras to record your holidays and the chargers and batteries they need. Most people now use digital cameras; do carry a spare memory chip. Music is an integral part of any drive, so remember to stock on CDs or tapes of your favourite artistes.

Photo of Books (by Paul Watson)

Maps

You should carry a good map of the areas you are travelling through to be on the safe side. Also, if you do driving trips often, invest in a good global positioning system (GPS). GPS’ today are very advanced and can literally get you to within 2 m of your destination. You can check our Trip Planner for navigation directions on popular routes. Of course, you’ll need to load maps on it, but this can be done and is definitely worth the money.

Photo of Maps (by Jasmic)

Back to Basics

Ensure that you pack penknives, torches, spoons, glasses and candles and matches. A plastic sheet can be useful in case you need to get under your car or are caught in rain. Also, carry a thin but strong length of nylon rope in case you need a tow at any time. A small pup tent is also a great insurance policy in case you get stuck somewhere, and quite fun for children as well. Don’t forget to carry an extra phone with a BSNL SIM in it. It might also prove useful in case you need to call for help in an emergency. And, lastly, carry WD40, a lubricant that’s considered universal, which helps in the smooth functioning of car parts. It’s always handy to have this in the car.